Introduction to paraphrasing in English
Paraphrasing is one of
the most important skills in writing. The
skill is useful while making notes from texts, taking notes, explaining tabular
data, charts, diagrams and even poems.
What is to paraphrase?
Paraphrasing involves re-writing
information using different words (rephrasing) without changing the original
meaning. In other words, paraphrasing involves reporting something that has
already been said without directly quoting the speaker.
While paraphrasing, it
is not necessary to translate what has been said word by word, or sentence by
sentence. All that is required is to understand the meaning of the text on focus as a whole then restate it using your own words. The main aim of paraphrasing is to
make it easier to understand the message expressed.
Some of the words and phrases that can be used to paraphrase are:
- In other words ...
- To put it differently...
- This means that...
- An alternative way of saying this is...
- In short...
How to paraphrase and English text
- Read the text that you intend to paraphrase several times until you fully understand its meaning
- Select the words that you find hard to understand and check them out together with their synonyms
- Change the structure of the selected text. For instance, you can try to change the ordering of information.
- Change the order in which the ideas are presented while trying to retain the meaning
- Change the structure of the sentences by breaking long sentences into shorter sentences and joining the shorter sentences into longer sentences.
- Change the voice from active to passive
- Write the paraphrase in your own words without omitting any important ideas.
Example of paraphrasing in English
Original text:
When learners are
constantly punished at school, they develop a little desire to learn, low
motivation and become antagonistic towards the school.
Paraphrased test:
The more a child is
punished in school, the lower the motivation to learn and the higher the
hostility towards school experiences.